Valve



July 28', 1942- R. M. MAGNUSON VALVE Filed Nov. 8, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR For M. MAG/V0.50

ATTOR NE Y y 28, 1942- R. M. MAGNUSON 2,291,049

VALVE Filed Nov. 8, 1939 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR RoY M. MAG /YUJON BY ATTORNEY Patented July 28, 1942 VALVE Roy M. Magnuson, Campbell, Calil'., assignor to Food Machin ery Corporation, San Jose, Calif.,

a corporation of Delaware Application November 8, 1939, Serial No. 303,416

16 Claims. (Cl. 251-134) This invention relates to valves of the ball type in which means are provided for positively removing the ball from its seat to open the valve for flow of the medium therethrough.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a, ball-type valve in which the ball is moved laterally off its seat a suilicient distance to entirely remove it from the path of flow to the orifice.

Another object is to provide an actuating means for the valve which utilizes the pressure of the medium within the valve chamber to aid in opening the valve.

Another object is to provide a hand-grip operating means for the valve, which means can be adjusted angularly with respect to the valve proper for the convenience of the operator.

Another object is to provide an actuator for removing the ball from its seat by rolling and which includes a wedge for starting the ball up off its seat.

Other objects of my invention will appear in the course of the description of a device in which my invention has been embodied.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the valve.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken as indicated by arrows 2--2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken as indicated by arrows 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken as indl cated by arrows 4--4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the valve.

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 show successive stages in the removal of'the ball from its seat.

The exterior aspect of the valve is shown in Fig. 1. The valve body M has attached thereto a, finger grip H and a movable palm-pressure lever l2 by means of which the operator opens the valve in the body I by a squeezing grip, as will appear more clearly after a disclosure of the valve and actuator mechanism.

In general configuration the valve body l0 comprises two intersecting cylinders, the cylinder I3 being disposed with its axis vertical and the cylinder M with its axis horizontal. The former contains the flow chamber and valve proper while the latter contains a pocket into which the actuator removes the ball from the flow chamber when the valve is opened.

The vertical portion l3 of the valve body I 0 (Fig. 4) has a threaded aperture l for attachment of the inlet pipe and, in vertical axial alignment therewith, a threaded aperture It for 55 the end 3'! of the member 30 which carries the attachment of the outlet pipe. The inlet l'l admits the fluid to the flow chamber [8 from which it exits through the outlet I9. The outlet i9 is formed to receive a sleeve or bushing 20 which provides the orifice 2| and seat for the ball 22. The inlet ll, orifice 2 I, and outlet I9 are in axial alignment to permit straight-line flow of the fluid through the flow chamber l8 (Figs. 4 and 5). The removable plug 10 is provided to facilitate assembly of the valve.

The ball .22 is drawn on its seat by an actuator which comprises a claw 23 (Fig. 5) having a C-shaped opening 24 in which the ball 22 is disposed at all times. The claw 23 has a threaded aperture 25 into which the end of a rod 26 is threaded. The rod 26 extends axially of the portion H of the valve body through an aperture 21 provided with sealing means 28. The outer end of the rod 26 is threaded into the end 29 of a rectangular member 30, the side walls 3|, 32 (Fig. 2) of which provide a slot 33 (Fig. 5) to admit a cam 34 which acts upon a roller 35 supported on a. stub shaft 36 mounted in the side walls 3|, 32. The other end 31 of the member 30 has a guide pin 38 integral therewith. The pin 38 slides in a bore 39 in a sleeve 40 threaded at 4| into the end wall 42 of the finger grip II.

The finger grip l l is a casting which is secured to the portion l4 of the valve body. In shape it resembles a trough throughout the major portion of its length. As can be seen in Fig. 2, it is U-shaped in cross-section, the top being open. However, this trough-shaped portion merges into a clamp 44 which encompasses the cylindrical portion l4 (Fig. 3) of the valve body and is split at 45. A long screw 46 and nut 41 serve to tighten the clamp 44 on the valve body so that the finger grip can be adjustably afiixed to the valve body. If it is more convenient for the operator in certain circumstances the finger grip can be turned to an angular position on the cylindrical portion l4 by reason of the adjustable clamp 44.

The palm-pressure lever l2 pivots on the screw 46. The end of the lever adjacent the valve body is U-shaped as shown at 48 (Fig. 3) and is provided with hooks 49, 50 which engage spacers 5|, 52 on the screw 46.

The cam 34 is attached to the lever l2 by screws 53 (Fig. 5).v The roller 35 is pressed against the cam 34 by a compression spring 54 interposed between the shoulder on the sleeve 40 and a washer 55 on guide pin 38 bearingagainst roller 35. The camming edge of the cam 33 consists of a substantially straight edge 56 merging with an arcuate edge 53 which ends in a hook II. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 5 the spring 54 is urging the roller against the cam which holds the lever i2 spread open. The opening of the lever is limited by engagement of the hook 51 with the roller 35 which thus prevents further counterclockwise oscillation of the lever on its pivot 46.

.To open the valve the'operator wraps his fingers around the grip ll, places his palm against the lever and squeezes. The cam edge 56 forces the roller back against the pressure of its spring I3, and the rod 26 by means of the claw 23 removes the ball 22 from its seat 2!. Different stages of the removal are illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8.

In valves of the ball type the maximum eifort is required in the initial unseating of the ball because of the differential pressure. As soon as the valve begins to open (Fig. 6) thefiuid can flow through the opening 60 and equalization of the pressure on the ball results in easy movement of the ball thereafter. In accordance with my invention this initial opening of the valve is facilitated by reason of the fact that the V- shaped edge 6| of the claw 23 is applied to the ball in close proximity to its point of contact with the seat 2| and that it has a powerful wedging or prying action on the ball, causing the ball to roll up 011 its seat, rotating on the point 62 as a fulcrum. The initial opening of the valve is further facilitated by the design of the cam 34. When the claw 23 moves'from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that in Fig. 6 the point of contact between the roller 35 and the edge of the cam moves to the point 59. In this way a considerable movement of the lever I2 is utilized to do the work of starting the ball off its seat with a resulting decrease in the pressure necessary to be applied to the lever. Afterthe valve has been cracked, very little effort is required to open it wide so the cam edge becomes steeper after the point 59 is reached in order to accelerate the movement.

Continued movement of the claw 23 (Fig. 7) causes the ball 22 to be embraced by the curved portion 63 of the O-shaped opening and the ball is rolled up on the edge of the seat 2| and onto the fioor 64 of the pocket 65 into which the ball 22 and claw 23 are withdrawn (Fig. 8). The front face of the claw 23 has a vertical groove 63 which registers with orifice 2| to provide an unobstructed passage through the flow chamber I8. The ball 22 and its claw 23 being disposed outside the path of flow in the side chamber or pocket 65, the fluid is free to fiow directly from the inlet ll through the flow chamber l8 and out the orifice 2 I When the operator releases the lever I2 the spring 53 pushes the rod 26'forward and the claw 23 reseats the ball in the orifice 2|.

Although the spring 54 is rather stiff, only a slight pressure need be applied to the lever 65 i2 to open the valve. This is due to the fact that a diflerentialpressure is exerted by the medium on the actuator 23. Because of the rod 26 the pressures on areas of the claw 23 normal to the axis of rod 26 are unbalanced-and the resultant force urges the actuator to the right (Fig. 5).

Consequently once the ball has been started off its seat as in Fig. 6 this force is sufllcient to open the valve; in other words, to move the actuator from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that in Fig.

8. However, in' order to bias the valve toward the closed position the spring I4 is selected so as to have just sufli'cient force to overcome the force exerted by the diiferential pressure and to 5 return the valve to its seat when the operator releases the lever l2. The spring 54 may be replaced by another spring of different strength if the valve is to be operated under different fluid pressure by unscrewing the sleeve 43. Within 10 certain limits the counter-acting spring pressure can be adjusted by screwing the sleeve ll in or out. But in any event, the pressure of spring 64 is by selection and adjustment such that it just overcomes the resultant force of the differential pressure on the valve so that in spite of the fact that the valve may be operating under very high pressures only a slight effort is required on the part of the operator to open and close it. v It will be noted that the means for operating the valve, comprising the grip Ii. lever i2, cam

, 34, and the roller and spring assembly are adjustable as a unit with respect tov the valve proper, comprising the valve body and its chambers and passages, the ball, the claw 23, and the rod 26. This is eiIected by the clamp 33 and is made possible by the construction of the valve operating means which permits it to be rotated as a unit around the axis of the rod 28 and cylin- 30 drical body portion it without altering the mechanical relation of its parts with respect to the parts of the valve proper. The valve operating means maintains its operativness in any angular position and is simply held by the clamp 34 in 5 whatever position is most convenient for the operator under the conditions.

While I have described a particular embodiment of the present invention, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications'may be 4,0 made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and in what manner the same may be used, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A valve comprising a chamber having a first portion and a second portion, an inlet and an outlet in said first portion, the path of flow of a fluid medium being from said inlet through said first portion of said chamber to said outlet, said path being substantially a straight line, a ball to close said outlet, and an actuator movable in a line perpendicular to said straight-line path of flow for drawing said ball into said second portion of said chamber where said ball and actuator are disposed outside the path of fiow while the valve is open, said actuator having a sliding bearing on the wall of said chamber with which said actuator is held in contact by the pressure of the medium, whereby said actuator is confined to reciprocatory movement.

2. A valve comprising a valve body having a cylindrical portion, valve closure means, including a reciprocatory rod extending axially of said cylindrical body portion and projecting outside said body through an aperture therein provided with a seal, valve operating means operatively connected to said rod for imparting reciprocation thereto and mounted externally on said cylindrical body portion for rotatable adjustment relative thereto, whereby said valve operating means may be adjusted to any convenient angular position with respect to said rod axis while maintain- 75 ing operative connection with said rod.

3. A valve comprising a chamber having an outlet, a ball adapted to seat in. said outlet, a reciprocatory actuator in said chamber adapted to engage said ball on one side to move said ball from its seat and adapted to engage said ball on the opposite side to move said ball to its seat, a spring urging said actuator to close the valve, and a cam to move said actuator to open the valve.

4. A valve comprising a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a ball adapted to seat in said outlet, and a reciprocatory actuator having an opening in which said ball is loosely retained, whereby said ball can be moved to and from its seat by reciprocation of said actuator, said actuator having an edge which first engages said ball at a point near the seat to apply the initial lift to start the ball off its eat.

5. A valve comprising a body having a chamber therein, said chamber having an outlet, a ball to close said outlet, a spring-pressed actuator extending into said chamber adapted to engage said ball on one side to move said ball from said outlet and adapted to engage said ball on the opposite side to move said ball to said outlet, a cam adapted to reciprocate said actuator, and a pivoted lever to move said cam.

6. A valve comprising a body having a chamber therein, said chamber having a wall, said wall having an aperture therein, a ball in said chamber adapted to close said aperture, and means to remove said ball from said aperture including a wedge in said chamber having a surface slidable on said wall, an edge adapted to engage aid ball near said aperture to start said ball rolling up out of said aperture, and a second surface inclined to said first surface to exert a wedging action on said ball as it is rolled up out of said aperture.

7. A valve comprising a body having a chamber therein, said chamber having an outlet, a ball to close said outlet, an actuator in said chamber to remove said ball from aid outlet, a hand grip secured to said body, a lever pivoted on said hand grip, spring-pressed means mounted in said hand grip for moving said actuator, said means including a roller, and a cam on said lever engaging said roller.

8. A valve comprising a body having a chamber therein, said chamber having an outlet, a ball to close said outlet, an actuator to remove said ball from said outlet, a hand grip adjustably attached to the valve body, a member connected to said actuator having a roller and a guide pin thereon,

said pin being guided in said hand grip, a spring between said member and said hand grip for urging said actuator to close the valve, and a lever pivoted on said hand grip having a cam to engage said roller to withdraw said actuator to open the valve.

9. A valve comprising a body having a chamber therein, said chamber having a wall, an aperture in said wall, a ball in said chamber adapted to seat in said aperture, reciprocable means for rolling said ball along said wall to and from its seat, said means including a member having an opening therein to loosely embrace said ball and thereby permit said ball to drop into its seat and rise therefrom, a part of the opening in said member being defined by a surface inclined to said wall and terminating in an edge at said wall, said edge contacting said ball adjacent said aperture to start, said ball rolling up out of its seat, said surface being inclined so as to act as a wedge and to continue the combined lifting-rolling action on the ball to remove said ball from said aperture onto said wall.

10. A valve comprising a ball adapted to seat in an orifice, means to open the valve comprising a wedge adapted to be slid across the orifice, and means including a cam for actuating said wedge, said cam having a portion formed to impart initially slow motion and great force to said wedge to facilitate overcoming the differential pressure on said ball and another portion formed to accelerate the motion to quickly open the valve after the diflerential pressure on the ball has been overcome.

11. A valve comprising a chamber, having apertures through which a fluid under pressure may flow, a ball to close one of said apertures, an actuator for said ball mounted for reciprocation, said actuator having surfaces exposed to the fluid in said chamber, the projected areas of said surfaces in planes normal to the line of reciprocation of said actuator totaling a greater area on one side of said planes than on the other whereby the fluid exerts an unbalanced force on said actuator acting along the line of reciprocation of said actuator and in a direction to move said actuator to open said aperture, and mechanical means to overcome said unbalanced force and move said actuator to close said actuator.

12. A valve comprising a chamber, having apertures through which a fluid under pressure may flow, a ball to close one of said apertures, an actuator for said ball mounted for reciprocation, said actuator having surfaces exposed to the fluid in said chamber, the projected areas of said surfaces in planes normal to the line of reciprocation of said actuator totaling a greater area on one side of said planes than on the other whereby the fluid exerts an unbalanced force on said actuator acting along the line of reciprocation of said actuator and in a direction to move said actuator to open said aperture, spring means exerting a force on said actuator suflicient to move said ball to said aperture against said unbalanced force, and hand-operated means to move said actuator to open said valve.

13. A valve comprising a body having a chamber therein, said chamber having a wall, said wall having an aperture therein, a ball in said chamber adapted to close said aperture by seating engagement therewith, and means for moving said ball transversely to the axis of said aperture, said moving means enclosing said ball and including a wedge portion slidable on said chamber wall and having its leading edge disposed to engage said ball at a point immediately adjacent said aperture to pry said ball from seating engagement with said aperture.

14. A valve comprising a chamber, a ball therein, said chamber having an outlet providing a seat for said ball, the axis of said seat passing through the center of said ball when said ball is in contact with said seat, an actuator for removing said ball from said seat to a position where said ball is entirely out of alignment with said chamber outlet to leave an unobstructed passage through said chamber to said outlet, said actuator housing and engageable with opposite sides of said ball and having a wedge portion slidable on a chamber wall and engageable with the ball at a point adjacent said seat for urging the ball therefrom, and means to move said actuator in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said seat.

15. A valve comprising a closed chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a ball in said chamber adapted to seat in said outlet, a member in said chamber for unseating said ball, said member having a curved surface disposed in sliding engagement with a wall of said chamber terminating in an edge portion adapted to engage said ball adjacent its seat to cause the ball to roll outwardly therefrom, the point of contact between the ball and said member thereafter progressing from said edge along said curved surface as the ball is elevated from its seat by moving said member transversely of said outlet.

16. A valve for controlling the flow oi fluid tioned portion extending through and reciprocable in an aperture in the wall of said chamber and exposed to the atmosphere.

ROY M. MAGNUSON. 

